Draft:Kishore Bahini
কিশোর বাহিনী | |
| Formation | Pohela Boishakh of 1350 Bengali Year (April 15, 1943) Bharat Seva Hall, Calcutta, Bengal Presidency Resurrection: April 5, 1985 Calcutta, West Bengal |
|---|---|
| Founder | Annada Shankar Bhattacharya |
| Type | Pioneer organization |
| Headquarters | 80, AJC Bose Road, Kolkata-700014 |
Chief Director | Manoranjan Basu |
Chief Organizer | Pijush Dhar |
Main organ | Rongberong |
The Kishore Bahini is the largest children and pioneer organization in West Bengal, with branches in several neighboring states.
History
[edit]The Kishore Bahini was established on April 15, 1943, Pohela Baishakh, at Bharat Seva Hall in Calcutta. On that day, three hundred young boys and girls gathered. The presidium, consisting of Haraprasad, Biren, and Shefalika, was elected. Renowned journalist Satyen Majumdar delivered the inaugural speech, blessing the event. Under the leadership of student leader Annada Shankar Bhattacharya, the organization was founded with the motto "শিক্ষা স্বাস্থ্য সেবা স্বাধীনতা" (lit. Education Health Service Freedom)
Although Annada Shankar Bhattacharya was the leader of this organization, he was elected General Secretary of the Bengal Provincial Student Federation at the conference held in Rajshahi in August 1943. The leadership responsibilities of Kishore Bahini were then entrusted to Sukanta Bhattacharya.
Initially operating from the Student Federation office at the intersection of College Street and Bowbazar Street, the organization later relocated to 8/2 Bhabani Dutta Lane.
The organization quickly expanded, establishing 300 branches across Bengal by August 1943, with half of them in Kolkata. During the famine of 1943, Kishore Bahini played a significant role in relief efforts, working as volunteers at rice distribution centers, collecting food donations door-to-door to aid the poor and needy, and assisting people in getting their rightful share of rations and kerosene while standing in queues.
Revival (1985)
[edit]After Partition
[edit]After the partition of Bengal in 1947, Kishore Bahini split into branches in both India and East Pakistan, with the East Pakistan sect operating as a sister organization, continuing the mission in that region. The organization faced significant setbacks following the death of its prominent leader, Sukanta Bhattacharyya, in 1947. Further challenges emerged during the 1962 Indo-China conflict, resulting in the arrest of many leaders and a prolonged period of stagnation in central leadership.
Revival
[edit]Despite these challenges, efforts to revive the organization culminated in a significant resurgence on April 5, 1985, in Calcutta. Both former leaders and new members united to reinvigorate Kishore Bahini, introducing a new tagline "শিক্ষা স্বাস্থ্য সেবা দেশপ্রেম বিশ্যমৈত্রী" (Education, Health, Service, Patriotism, and Global Friendship). Its mouthpiece, "Rongberong", a quarterly children magazine, began publication in 1998.
Kishore Bahini is headquartered at 80 AJC Road, Kolkata 700014, operates in nearly all districts of West Bengal, extending its activities to select rural areas in neighboring states. The organization is officially registered under regd. no. S/83094.
State camps
[edit]| Camp | Date | Place |
|---|---|---|
| 1st | 1986 | Juvbharati Stadium, Kolkata |
| 2nd | ||
| 3rd | ||
| 4th | ||
| 5th | 1995 | Raipur, Bankura |
| 6th | Baharampur, Murshidabad | |
| 7th | Halisahar, North 24 Parganas | |
| 8th | Bethuadahari, Nadia | |
| 9th | Udaynarayanpur, Howrah | |
| 10th | Cooch Behar | |
| 11th | December 24-28, 2010 | Mukundapur, South 24 Parganas |
| 12th | December 26-28, 2013 | Patuli, South 24 Parganas |
| 13th | December 25-27, 2016 | Bongaon, North 24 Parganas |
| 14th | Dec 29, 2018 - Jan 1, 2019 | Baharampur, Murshidabad |
| 15th | December 27-31, 2022 | Haldia, Purba Medinipur |
Eminent organizers
[edit]
Others
[edit]- Dipsita Dhar, organizational beginnings began as a member of Kishore Bahini and is now the Joint-Secretary of the Students' Federation of India.